HEIFEIGU -Chapter 62

“‘Sssss!’” Xuan Caiyan eagerly continued, “So you made the account ‘Sssss’—your super hit!”

“At first, it was terrible, just random videos of mountains and seas,” Wu Muhan recalled with some nostalgia, “I couldn’t let go of my burdens, thinking a proper big shaman shouldn’t mess with such trivial things.”

“Now I regret it! I really regret it!”

“At the time, I should have chosen a popular niche first and started building it up, then considered integrating the local culture. That way, I probably could have avoided a lot of detours.”

【‘Sssssss’—the old fans are here. At first, Sister’s content was all just scenery. She kept posting for nearly a year, every day, and only gained about 200 followers.】

【Hahaha, half of those 200 probably came from giveaways. I remember back then, every time she gained 10 followers, she had to do a giveaway of local specialties, and she even had to go to the island post office to send them.】

【Really, at that time, every fan had tried Sister’s dried fish and shrimp, and drank her herbal tea.】

【To help her gain followers, I even roped in two roommates. In the end, the whole dorm ate dried fish for a whole semester.】

【Honestly, the dried fish was super tasty. Later, when she had more followers, I never won a giveaway again. Sister, have you considered letting everyone make them together?】

【I feel like Sister doesn’t need to regret anything. Without that first wave of accumulated experience, there wouldn’t be the current ‘Sssssss’!】

“Later, I chose the trending transformation (makeover) video niche. I used the makeup skills I learned in the city, combined with my special identity, and the first video achieved good results.”

“My followers kept increasing. Gradually, people started noticing me, and at the same time, they noticed this land.”

“Regarding development, most of the elder tribespeople opposed it—they’re used to the current way of life. But I still want to create more possibilities for them, letting modern technology and ancient deities together protect this land.”

“After careful consideration, my tribespeople will make a decision about whether to develop the island during the upcoming purification ceremony.”

Wu Muhan finished speaking and left. Outside, the little Dou-Ding was still waiting for her to go to class.

The atmosphere in the room immediately became heavy. Everyone quietly sipped the herbal tea in their hands.

“So…” Fei Zhehan spoke weakly, “we still have to compete for this tourism ambassador position, right? If the scenic area isn’t developed, then there’s nothing to promote, right?”

“I originally thought coming to this show would be easy—just mess around, film casually, and report back to the company,” Luo Feiang said, lying down on the floor with his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. “Now, why do I actually feel real emotions?”

“Conflicted. Even I’m conflicted.”

He suddenly sat up. “What do you think—would it be better to develop the island or not?”

“Hard to say,” Xuan Caiyan counted on her fingers. “If it’s developed, there will definitely be more modern education and medical care, and daily life will be more convenient. But if it’s over-commercialized, it could destroy the natural environment and local culture.”

“Yeah, finding that balance is so difficult. Who can be sure?” Meng Zezhou sighed, then looked at Qian Shuyun.

He roughly knew the Qian family was involved in the island project, but he didn’t know to what extent. Qian Shuyun should know more.

Before he could speak, Xie Jixing said first, “I think we should develop it.”

His tone was very firm. “If we don’t try because we’re afraid, we’ll always stay in the same place. But nothing can remain stagnant forever. Things either transform and develop, or face extinction.”

“The transformation can be gradual. For example, initially we can set up boutique travel groups and deep experience tours. Aren’t we the best example?” Qian Shuyun suggested a concrete approach. “I think this is also why the great shaman is willing to cooperate with the show.”

“If there’s excessive commercialization, or if the island’s natural environment and traditional culture are too eroded, we can immediately pause and adjust the direction.”

His words were like a calming reassurance for everyone.

“I agree!” Xuan Caiyan’s eyes reddened slightly. “Even though we’ve only been on the island a few days, I feel like each of us has changed in some way…”

“Before, every day was just performances, promotions, and training. Every minute had to be scheduled. Even eating was just to complete tasks. There was nothing in life that made me truly happy; joy had become increasingly difficult for me.”

“Talking to people always had a strong purpose. If a sentence wasn’t useful, I had to consider whether or not to say it, whether it was worth saying. But on the island, I didn’t have to think about that.”

“Seeing a squirrel while hiking made me happy. Digging up seashells made me happy. Even daydreaming under the sun made me happy. The landlady and I couldn’t understand each other, but we could talk the whole day anyway. Looking back, I don’t even remember what we said—just that I laughed happily all day.”

“Filming this show, I genuinely feel a little reluctant to leave…”

Seeing the crybaby about to shed tears again, Fei Zhehan handed her two tissues, successfully removing his ‘dad vibe’. “I also think it’s a bit of a pity not to develop it. I was even thinking of bringing my family here next time.”

“My two little rascals are perfect for training on this island. When the time comes, my wife and I can kick back while they handle the food and chores, letting my wife relax too.”

“After all, this is where I ended my Air Force career!” Luo Feiang got excited. “I’m definitely coming back here often!”

“So the question is, how do we get the islanders to agree to develop it?”

“I propose that over the next two days, we visit and communicate with them more,” Meng Zezhou raised his hand. “At least that will leave a good impression.”

“Also,” Xuan Caiyan blew her nose and continued, “we should try to keep the show’s popularity high, let more people know about and participate in this, so that future development will have more supervision.”

【It’s getting fired up!】

【Looking at them, they seem so down-to-earth, makes this island seem really fun.】

【Xuan Caiyan’s words make me nostalgic. I remember the first day on the island—everyone was annoyed with each other, sniping and competing for the center position, arguing over team decisions, forming little cliques. Nothing was peaceful.】

【Hahaha, now that you mention it, I remember vividly—when choosing survival items, it was chaos. Only Ang cared about sunscreen.】

【Also, don’t be fooled by how Xuan Caiyan is always by Xie Jixing’s side now. Back in the bamboo forest, she rolled her eyes at him and openly challenged him on camera.】

【Help! Don’t bring up my little one’s dark past! I apologize to everyone.】

【Xuan Caiyan’s survival instincts are really strong now, lol.】

After discussing, they quickly went to find Wu Muhan to finalize their next steps.

They planned to visit the islanders living scattered in the forest. Although they were poor and even needed to exchange points with the show for bottled water and compressed biscuits, the promised schools and hospitals were guaranteed.

Wu Muhan assigned each of them a little Dou-Ding as a guide, giving them free time for the next few days.

Arriving empty-handed isn’t good manners, so the little Dou-Dings led the stars to cut some grass from the meadows.

The Xia tribe valued thoughtfulness over money. Handcrafted gifts were more touching. The girls exchanged little grass-woven trinkets as gifts, a craft now taught to the stars.

The tall grass could cut hands, but no one complained. Even with small cuts on their hands, they continued learning weaving.

But as it turned out, crafting really required talent.

After an afternoon, progress varied more dramatically than the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Some could weave complete and exquisite art pieces, while others couldn’t even tie the grass into a neat knot.

“Xingxing! Look at the star I made. Does it look like you?” Xuan Caiyan held up a crooked, plump five-pointed star. “I even made a tiny red dot, just like your little mole—perfect!”

“Here, for you!”

Xie Jixing looked at the uneven star with mismatched eyes and a crooked mouth, and couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time.

He returned a cute little squirrel he had woven to Xuan Caiyan.

“Xingxing, you’re biased!” Luo Feiang also came over. “I want one too, make me a fish!”

“I want a chubby koi!” He shoved his most proud creation to Xie Jixing. “This one’s for you.”

Xie Jixing held the clump of grass in his hand. “What is this, knotted rope notes?”

“I’m abstract, do you even know what abstract means!” Luo Feiang protested loudly.

Meng Zezhou peeked over. “It is indeed pretty abstract.”

“What do we do?” The top influencer was discouraged.

Xie Jixing was the class’s top student. He could weave anything, and even extrapolate and innovate. Even the little instructors were learning from him.

Xuan Caiyan was clumsy with her hands, but smart. She focused on chaotic cartoon faces—ugly-cute, addictive after a while.

Qian Shuyun seemed skilled at making plants, already weaving several different flowers. Meng Zezhou followed instructions strictly—no innovation, but at least made something. Even Fei Zhehan wove two grass grasshoppers for his son.

Only Luo Feiang stuck to knotted rope notes.

Xie Jixing took a moment to lift the corners of Luo Feiang’s drooping mouth. “Hasn’t the great shaman taught you yet?”

“Use your strengths, find the right niche. Come on, leverage your looks.”

Audience: 【Pfft, harsh but right on the mark!】

Luo Feiang touched his chin. “True, I am really confident about my face!”

“Little Teacher,” he smiled and leaned toward the little girl guiding him. “Take me to pick some flowers.”

The little girl’s face turned rosy as she reached out to Luo Feiang for a hug.

Luo Feiang scooped her up into his arms, grinning proudly. “Let’s go! Let those losers go weave some grass or whatever!”

Xuan Caiyan squeezed the little squirrel in her hands and shyly moved closer to Xie Jixing. “Xingxing, can I still come play with you after the show ends?”

“I’m planning to develop my career back home anyway. You know, I don’t really have any close friends.”

Xie Jixing was still shaping a green lump in his hands—he didn’t even know what it would turn into. “Sure. We can add each other on Green Bubble later, but just so you know, I’m not going anywhere too expensive.”

We’ve set a new goal for ourselves, and we’re even saving up to donate to a school!

“Yay!” Xuan Caiyan immediately brightened. “No worries, we’ll go to the most expensive places, my treat!”

Fei Zhehan sidled over. “Xie, add me too. I have a feeling my two little rascals are going to like you.”

“I can already imagine their silly little faces,” Xie Jixing said, mimicking them dramatically, “Wow, that big brother is so handsome! He knows how to use a knife and play with coconuts!”

“Sure, add me!” Xie Jixing agreed cheerfully, and at the same time he made two little scratching, playful monkeys out of straw for Fei Zhehan’s two mischievous boys.

“Me too, me too!” Luo Feiang had already picked a basket of fresh flowers to make small bouquets. “Next time we go fishing, I have to bring you. If you’re not there, who am I going to show off my achievements to?”

On the other side, everyone was clamoring for Xie Jixing’s attention. Meng Zezhou pouted a little, feeling sour—they had met him first!

But he had successfully lured Xie Jixing into their company, which meant he was now his junior brother. Xie Jixing would obviously get along best with him. Thinking this, Meng Zezhou, with the magnanimity of a first wife, nudged Qian Shuyun, “Why don’t you go add him too?”

Qian Shuyun adjusted the petals of the flower in his hand. “I added him a long time ago… maybe several months back.”

Then he handed over a straw flower that looked very much like the wild rose from the Hundred-Family Feast. “Here, this is for you.”

In return, he received a green lump woven from straw—a chubby little cloud that Xie Jixing had just made.

Months ago, Qian Shuyun had already done this before him.

Meng Zezhou gritted his teeth, watching his brother’s slightly smug smile. It seemed his brother had already reached stratospheric levels of charm.